No Child Left Behind

As our country continues to face worldwide problems economically, socially, and environmentally it makes perfect sense to be concerned with our future. However, this concern could be turned into confidence if we were to focus more on education within our country. The education we provide today will be what sets us apart from other countries in the future. A possible solution proposed by President Bush in 2001 was the infamous “No Child Left Behind Act.”  NCLB aims to improve the performance of primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of states, school districts, and teachers. At first this sounds like an ideal program but here has been much controversy about NCLB because of its inability to test all students equally. Many individuals believe that teachers are now “teaching for the test.” Curriculums are no longer focusing on what is needed to be successful in life, but rather are focusing strictly on what is needed to be proficient in terms of NCLB. By doing this, we are lowering the standards for many students who are naturally above proficient. Our government needs to stray from the idea that everyone should be the same. We shouldn’t be trying to reach a happy medium. We should be looking at every student individually as a whole, not off of one test. If we are hiring highly qualified teachers like we are supposed to be doing it should be the teachers who are setting the standards and making improvements accordingly. 

My Role As A Leader

     As president of Student Council I have come to acknowledge myself as a leader and as someone who wants to make a difference in my school and community. I have learned first-hand how to work with members of the council, the executive board, my advisors, and the student body. Most importantly, however, I have learned more about myself and my personal contributions as a leader. There are times when I need to take the initiative and stay committed to a task, but there are also times when I need to delegate and put trust in my council-members to offer their commitment. Delegation has been one of the hardest jobs as president. I am so used to just doing, but now I must think of my council first and delegate accordingly. Overall, being president has been the most rewarding positions I have ever held. When I stand in front of the council, give basic instructions, and then watch them put their minds to work and accomplish their goals I realize just how important leadership is. It's not about how many leadership positions you hold, but instead it is about what you choose to do with those positions. A common misconception is that leaders are the ones who are successful. What is misunderstand is that a true leader takes what he or she knows and provides that information to others so that they can be successful. Leadership really is a service; and as Student Council President, the service I am able to give to council, to my school, and to my community is how I know I am being successful.